From Chaos To Arcadie

Trained and disciplined as he had been in the sternest of all schools,
and strengthened as he was by the knowledge of the compact that existed
between them, there were moments when his self-control was very sorely
tried, moments when her hand would be clasped in his, or rested on his
shoulder as he helped her across a stream or down some steep hillside,
or when in the midst of some animated discussion she would stop short
and face him, and suddenly confound his logic with a flash from her eyes
and a smile on her lips that literally forced him to put forth a
muscular effort to prevent himself from catching her in his arms and
risking everything for just one kiss, one taste of the forbidden fruit
within his reach, and yet parted from him by a sea of blood and flame
that still lay between the world and that empire of peace which he had
promised to win for her sweet sake.

Once, and once only, she had tried him almost too far. They had been
discussing the possibility of ruling the world without the ultimate
appeal to force, when the nations, weary at length of war, should have
consented to disarm, and she carried away by her own eloquent pleading
for the ultimate triumph of peace and goodwill on earth, had laid her
hand upon his arm, and was looking up at him with her lovely face aglow
with the sweetest expression even he had ever seen upon it.

We have hundreds more books for your enjoyment. Read them all!

Their eyes met, and there was a sudden silence between them. The
eloquent words died upon her lips, and a deep flush rose to her cheeks
and then faded instantly away leaving her pale and with a look almost of
terror in her eyes He took a quick step backwards, and, turning away as
though he feared to look any longer upon her beauty, said in a low tone
that trembled with the strength of his repressed passion--

"Natasha, for God's sake remember that I am only made of flesh and blood!"

In a moment she was by his side again, this time with her eyes downcast
and her proud little head bent as though in acknowledgment of his
reproof. Then she looked up again, and held out her hand and said--

"Forgive me; I have done wrong! Let us be friends again!"

There was a gentle emphasis on the word "friends" that was irresistible.
He took her hand in silence, and after a pressure that was almost
imperceptibly returned, let it go again, and they walked on together;
but there was very little more said between them that evening.

This had happened one afternoon towards the middle of September, and two
days later their delightful companionship came suddenly to an end, and
the bond that existed between them was severed in a moment without
warning, as a nerve thrilling with pleasure might be cut by an
unexpected blow with a knife.

On the 16th of September the Orion returned from Australia. She touched
the earth shortly after mid-day, and before sunset the Azrael, the
vessel in which Michael Roburoff had gone to America, also returned, but
without her commander. Her lieutenant, however, brought a despatch from
him, which he delivered at once to Natas, who, immediately on reading
it, sent for Tremayne.